Confessions of the Zionist Regime; The Hannibal Protocol and War Crimes in Gaza.
Iraqi analyst and political activist Najah Muhammad Ali sent an exclusive note titled “Confessions of the Zionist Regime; Hannibal Protocol and War Crimes in Gaza” to the Mehr News Agency International Group, the full text of which follows:
On October 7, 2023, the Palestinian resistance carried out Operation Storm of Al-Aqsa, which humiliated the Zionist regime before the world, tarnished the image of its so-called invincible army, and destroyed its alleged balance and dominance in the region. Unable to respond effectively to the resistance, this army resorted to killing innocent civilians. The Zionist occupying forces launched brutal and widespread military operations that resulted in the martyrdom and injury of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians.
Recently, media reports revealed that the Zionist army had issued orders to activate the “Hannibal Protocol” on that day; That is, a military method that authorizes the use of lethal force to prevent the capture of soldiers, even if it results in their death. These confessions reveal serious violations committed by the occupying forces against Palestinian civilians and raise questions about their compliance with international and humanitarian law.
The Hannibal Protocol, developed in the 1980s, aims to prevent the capture of soldiers at all costs, even if it means sacrificing their lives. The activation of the Protocol on October 7, 2023, led to indiscriminate bombings that targeted civilian areas, including a music festival where dozens of settlers were killed. This indiscriminate use of force demonstrates a gross disregard for civilian life and reinforces the culture of impunity enforced by the occupying forces.
In addition, Gaza witnessed systematic attacks on civilian infrastructure, service facilities, and medical institutions during that period. International reports have documented attacks on hospitals and medical clinics, which resulted in the destruction of health infrastructure and their inability to provide basic services. These attacks not only destroyed buildings, but also resulted in the martyrdom and injury of many medical staff and patients. A report published by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in December 2024 shows that these attacks have brought Gaza’s health system to the brink of collapse and have catastrophically affected Palestinians’ access to medical care.